Question about Goods declaration for Nexus

[VeeNDee 44]

I am probably be a bit paranoid but we are going to use our new Nexus cards pretty soon and I want to be sure I do everything correctly (I do NOT want the cards taken away for any reason). So we are going to be bringing up gifts for Christmas and/or my niece & nephew's birthday. How are you supposed to declare the goods appropriately? I know you can have gifts up to $60 value, but is that one gift per person (so 3 gifts total for the 3 of us), or is it $60 value in total per person. We will be bringing stocking stuffers, gifts, and birthday gifts but they won't be expensive but there will be multiple gifts.

So, do I say:

"I declare that we have gifts for family that total a value of ____" OR

"I declare that we have (for example) a toy truck worth $10, a puzzle worth $5, a doll worth $15 (etc)" OR
"I declare that I am bringing 3 gifts for my nephew worth a total of $30 and 3 gifts for my niece worth a total of $30" OR
"I declare that I am bringing 3 gifts for my nephew worth a total of $30 and they are ___________, and we are also bringing 3 gifts for my niece worth a total of $30 and they are___________"

I know it feels like splitting hairs but I'm afraid I'll mess it all up somehow!

[CANbirdUSman 11]

Just answer their questions, as they ask them. Short answers.

Reason for coming into the county? "To visit family"

Anything to declaire? "A few gifts for family" (they might not even ask the value)

What is the totoal amount of goods to delaire? "I'd say roughly ------- in total"

Keep it simple. Short answers.

Enjoy your visit!

[Lemonslice 4,836]

It depends how they ask the question, but when using the Nexus line I always make sure to disclose proactively "special" items (extra value, fresh products, liquor, etc.) - whether they ask the question or not. It was my understanding during my meeting when I got approved that it is what we need to do.

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

Remember if driving when you come back to Canada with nexus you need to fill out a declaration document ahead of time to put in the mailbox, even if you don't have anything to declare I'd still do it.

Edited November 4, 2014 by floridaboundcanuk

[Lemonslice 4,836]

Remember if driving when you come back to Canada with nexus you need to fill out a declaration document ahead of time to put in the mailbox, even if you don't have anything to declare I'd still do it.

Not required when you are not a Canadian resident... Confirmed multiple times with CBSA.

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

Not required when you are not a Canadian resident... Confirmed multiple times with CBSA.

Really? good, done with that #######.

[VeeNDee 44]

It depends how they ask the question, but when using the Nexus line I always make sure to disclose proactively "special" items (extra value, fresh products, liquor, etc.) - whether they ask the question or not. It was my understanding during my meeting when I got approved that it is what we need to do.

From my interview I had the same understanding - I had to declare and not wait to be prompted.

Not required when you are not a Canadian resident... Confirmed multiple times with CBSA.

Oh good to know!!! That would be a pain. Is there a form for going back into the USA similar to that for US residents?

[toyboxgang 1]

Out in BC they have removed the mailboxes and just ask for the form if you have it ready. Most times they are happy with the verbal if it is within allowed amounts, or not too excessive on a same day trip.

[VeeNDee 44]

Just updating my post. We used Nexus for the first time this past weekend and it was amazing. Saved us nearly 2 hours of waiting in line and with a one year old that is a lot of crying avoided. Worth ALL the time and application confusion.

When we crossed by land in BC we did NOT have to fill out any papers or bring papers with us. We drove up, fanned out our Nexus cards and then went up to the booth. The first time the officer asked to see our cards (I'm guessing we held them incorrectly up to the scanner) and asked if we had anything to declare. My husband said that we had $45 of gifts to declare. Then he said have a nice day.

What? Really? That's it? Meanwhile we drove past a crazy long wait in the regular lines and didn't even have to stop for another car!

On the way back, we fanned out our cards to the scanner thing correctly somehow. The guy at the window asked if we had anything to declare. My husband said "Yes, $85 of Christmas gifts" (our estimated guess at the value). He asked if there was any food and we said chocolate. Then he said, have a nice day!

I still can't believe how easy and fast it was. I don't think I can ever go back haha.

[VeeNDee 44]

I should add that I was unsure if I had to show my greencard entering the US, since I'm pretty sure that is supposedly a requirement but it is on my Nexus file. Regardless, we ended up holding up the greencard to the scanner next to our 3 Nexus cards and the scanner read '4'... although there were 3 of us so maybe that was why. The guard never even mentioned it or asked to see any cards. I think I'll keep holding up the greencard just in case.

Edited December 29, 2014 by VeeNDee

[Lemonslice 4,836]

Nice to read! Also used ours, brought live oysters, wine, some gifts and no problem. Wasn't available to come back to the USA as we crossed at a very small POE.

[NikLR 13,227]

Nexus is awesome! It gets you precheck in the USA when you fly domestically. In Atlanta I got through the security (which was still pretty busy) in 10 mins. My husband took 45 mins. I had to hold up the plane for him! In OKC I got through in like 5 seconds because there was zero line. It's awesome. $50 well spent IMHO

[ChristinaG 91]

Just wanted to add..... I finally got the cards in for my daughters, so the three of us could finally use them together and we crossed with our two cats... the guard asked a couple questions about what we were bringing in (any tobacco or alcohol - I had 1 bottle of wine) and how long we were staying (1 week) and that was it.... 20 minutes sitting in the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, to get through the Nexus lane in under 2 minutes :)

So VERY worth it!!!!!